Carrick backs Old Trafford magic as Manchester United brace for City test
Michael Carrick moved quickly to steady Manchester United during another turbulent chapter, insisting the club’s identity and sense of occasion remain intact as he prepares for his first match in charge against Manchester City.
The former United midfielder takes the reins at a time of deep frustration among supporters, with results having dipped sharply and protests planned ahead of upcoming fixtures. Yet Carrick struck a confident note, stressing that Old Trafford still carries the aura that once made it one of European football’s defining arenas.
United arrive at the derby having won only three of their last 12 matches in all competitions, following a season that ended with their lowest league finish in more than half a century and no European qualification. Fan unrest has intensified, first directed at the Glazer family and more recently at minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, adding to the sense of instability around the club.
Carrick’s appointment makes him the 10th manager to lead United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, the year of their last Premier League title. It is a daunting backdrop for a coach stepping into the role mid-season, especially with Manchester City next on the schedule.
The significance of the moment goes beyond one match. Carrick is tasked with restoring belief inside a club that has struggled to define itself in recent years, while also shaping a short-term plan that can carry into the future. United stressed that his role runs until the end of the season, but the immediate priority is clarity, culture, and performance.
There is expected to be a charged atmosphere at Old Trafford, with tension in the stands matching the intensity on the pitch. Carrick believes that environment can still be a source of strength, pointing to the familiarity and connection he feels inside the club’s training base and stadium after more than a decade as a player.
Early work under Carrick has focused on standards and attitude, with the head coach encouraged by the response he has seen from the squad. He has detected no major issues behind the scenes and has spoken positively about the players’ willingness to listen, learn, and improve after a difficult run of results.
The challenge now is translating that into matchday control. City will dominate possession spells and test United’s defensive structure, while Carrick must balance tactical discipline with the need to lift confidence in a group that has struggled for rhythm.
The second half of the season will demand incremental progress rather than quick fixes. Carrick has made clear that culture is built daily, through behavior and accountability, not slogans, and that process will underpin any tactical evolution on the pitch.
Late pressure is inevitable in the weeks ahead, both from opponents and from expectations around the club’s direction. Carrick has resisted framing the job as a stopgap, instead focusing on creating a stable environment that encourages long-term improvement regardless of his own future.
For now, attention turns to the derby. The result will not solve United’s wider issues, but Carrick hopes it can reconnect the team with the belief that Old Trafford still matters and that the club’s sense of occasion can once again influence what happens on the pitch.